HARVEST MOON

[metamods]

 

HARVEST MOON

November is a month of transition. As fall slips by and winter begins extending its icy hand, it feels like a good time to let go of the burdens accumulated in the last year. The Willow Bough Harvest Festival is the ideal time to do just that.

Overnight, the town is transformed. A carnival pops up along the leylines that cross the city, with the center being an altar to the Willow Maiden. Metahumans and humans alike can give small offerings in the hopes that it will sway her dreams for the future.

While this is a festival for metahumans, there are a great number of regular humans in attendance as well. They seem more here for the celebration than any actual worship or tribute to the Goddess herself. For metahumans, it seems to be something… more. Deeper. Strengthening their connection with each other, with the world, and the Goddess who grants them all strength.

While one might think that a celebration of a sleeping Goddess would involve the sharing of dreams with the Gods, this is more a celebration of connection. There are bonfires settled in the woods, with logs set around as a space to share stories of all that you’ve experienced. There are rides to hop on, thrills to seek, and games to play.

This might be the only festival in Sunset Falls that isn’t vaguely associated with ancient murders. In fact, it’s guaranteed you won’t be killed here. Today, Sunset Falls is under the protection of the Willow Maiden. And just this once, for this one week of the year in the town of Sunset Falls - everybody lives.

This is the only time any travelling carnival feels safe setting up in the most cursed city in all the country. The carnival is filled to the brim with things to do. Festival booths sell sugary sweets, savory goods, and some locals are selling something they call ethically sourced zombie fingers... it's not recommended to eat those. There are sneakily rigged carnival games as far as the eye can see, and tricky metas are rewarded for their cleverness in discovering the games.

There are also rides, rides, and more rides! Ferris Wheels, Gravitons, fun houses, impossible roller coasters that run the length of the whole town - if you can think of it, it’s here. Including a small inflatable pool filled with balls. The rides are magically imbued and the carnies can be convinced into creating new ones to match whatever you may need, though they're taking some... interesting short cuts. A Tunnel of Love can go through a sewer, right?

These rides are perfectly safe. Seriously. Thoroughly magicked against destruction and tampering for as long as the festival is active... you might want to get off of them as things come to a close, though. Things will start to fall apart as the Willow Maiden drifts into a deep slumber.

The festival offers a whole host of other attractions for metas and humans alike, however the Starfallen are treated to some.. extras in these festivities.

➢ EMPATHY LINKS

Every attendee is given a small stone pendant called the Willow Seed. These pendants prevent any attendee from using their abilities to cause harm to any other wearing a pendant, a holdover from the days where metahuman conflict ran rampant.

These are magical items meant to help you commune with the Willow Maiden. Wearing it will make you feel stronger than you ever had - both literally and figuratively - and ready to face anything.

You will also feel your connection to the Willow Maiden, her deep and genuine love for you and all you are, all you aren't, and all you could be.

It will also connect you to your fellow Starfallen. While metahumans native to this world are unaffected, the Starfallen will find themselves suddenly feeling each other’s, well, feelings.

➢ MEMORY SHARE

Along with emotions, you may be able to send memories through the link as well. Given the positive energy, positive memories are easier to call forth than negative ones.

➢ THE WILLOW VINES

As this festival is all about connection, the chaotic energies of Sunset Falls try to get involved in the form of trying to force people to form new connections.. in the form of vines snapping two people together by the wrist as they walk by. If you co-operate and get to know this new person the vines will let go on their own after about thirty minutes.

Attempting to resist the connection will make them last longer... much.. much longer.

These will not let go until you connect with this other person - but luckily for you, you recluse, it doesn't require the connection to be positive. A fight - physical or verbal - is as much a connection as a candid conversation. All the vines ask for is some emotional honesty. The easiest way to get free is to make a new friend... or enemy. Connections don't have to be positive.

Attempting to speak with the Willow Maiden will be met with silence. Her Dream Guard will tell any Starfallen who ask that she expended a great amount of power recently to aid them. She will wake in the New Year and will be ready to guide them on what comes next then. WILDCARD.

Metaheroes takes inspiration from all walks of comics. Take a look at the CITIES to get an idea as to what day to day life is like in the other cities. Perhaps you've encountered a supervillain (or hero) who needs to be thwarted, or a metahuman with unusual powers creating bizarre effects.

Comments

[torchbearer]

Don't worry about it.

You seemed concerned about hygiene.

[purplexing]

Just because I was raised in a sewer doesn't mean I'm a barbarian.

[torchbearer]

Did someone say you were?

[purplexing]

Well no, but my point still stands. Anyway, I don't think anyone would want me touching anything with sticky hands, would you?

[He eyes the rest of the fluff on the stick before wadding it up to pop into his mouth.]

Okay, I'd say my sweet tooth's been more than satisfied. I might need something salty to balance it out.

[torchbearer]

Okay.

How about a corndog?

[purplexing]

Ooh, corndogs! I haven't had those in a while.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle shrugs, pointing out one of the stands. ]

Knock yourself out.

[purplexing]

[Donnie starts that way, turning to walk backwards as he figures he should ask:]

You want one?

[torchbearer]

Are you treating me?

[purplexing]

[He shrugs, figuring he'd suggested as much.] Yeah, sure.

[torchbearer]

[ huh. ]

That's nice of you.

[purplexing]

[You're embarrassing him, Kyle.

Donnie coughs into a fist, turning about abruptly to head towards the corndog vendor.]

[torchbearer]

[ aw. ]

So what made you come to the carnival?

[purplexing]

I was curious. And it didn't seem like too bad an idea, especially after everything else has been this year.

[Wow, was it really almost the end of a year here? He'd only arrived in the spring, but that seems like forever ago already.]

[torchbearer]

Sounds like a wise decision.

[purplexing]

Yeah, it's been pretty cool. I can do without the whole tapping into other people's emotions thing though.

[torchbearer]

It'll probably fade soon enough.

[purplexing]

[His expression suggests he'd rather it was sooner than later, but he lifts his shoulders in another shrug as he steps up to order a couple of corndogs for them.]

And heeere you go.

[torchbearer]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[purplexing]

[At least Donnie's mood picks up at little at such simple words. True, it's not even anything to do with his tech or any real ability of his own, but...even little thanks and appreciation goes a long way with him.

He smiles a bit, digging into his own corndog.]

Mmf, this is so good right now.

[torchbearer]

[ good, huh. it'd be nice if he could feel that way. but his feelings were slowly crumbling.

but he manages a smile. ]

Nothing beats fried food at the carnival.

[purplexing]

[It's not something Donnie had thought about too much at first. He'd figured Kyle just had a better handle on his emotions than others, and it's part of why he's not as bothered, hanging around him.

The smile and the words don't quite sync up however, and it makes the turtle pause around a mouthful of corndog.]

...everything bueno there?

[Not that he cares or anything! Gosh! ...okay he might just a little. Maybe green guy doesn't want to really hang out with him.]

[torchbearer]

Hm? What do you mean?

[purplexing]

You just seem... -no, it's probably nothing. Just- just forget I said anything but if you've got other stuff you want to do or better places to be you don't have to stick around on my account.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle seems bemused. ]

I'm not going to ditch you. Why would I? You seem cool.